Tag: Eddie Jones

Eddie Jones has refused to fully close the door on Danny Cipriani’s England career, after the fly-half found himself with off the field issues once again.

Cipriani made his first start for England in a decade in South Africa this summer, but was fined £2,000 after admitting charges of common assault and resisting arrest during his club Gloucester’s pre-season tour of Jersey.

He then found himself sanctioned by the Rugby Football Union.

England head coach Jones has warned after recalling him to the international stage that “there’s always a plane back from Johannesburg”, but the half-back’s latest off-field problems does not appear to have ended his chances in the long-term.

Jones said: “We never close the door on anyone. Everyone makes mistakes. He was very contrite afterwards, realised he’s done the wrong thing and we move on from that now.

“I think it’s been dealt with. He was punished by his club, punished by whatever happened with the RFU. He’s now back playing and we’ll look at him in terms of how well he plays.

“In South Africa, he worked well and again at the August camp, he worked well and if he gets an opportunity at the September camp, he’ll have another opportunity to work well.”

“We are at an incredibly important stage with two years to go to the Rugby World Cup in Japan, and there is still a big step to make if we want to be the number one team in the world.

“We are going to have to be meticulous in preparation in everything we do as we build towards Tokyo, and that is why this camp is vital ahead of this season.

“The players, coaches and staff will use these three days to reconnect and ensure we are all clear on what our priorities and expectations are ahead of the Premiership season, as well as the upcoming Old Mutual Wealth Series (in November).”